<p>In 1984, the women's marathon was held in the Olympic Games for the first time.</p><p>But to the horror of the crowd in Los Angeles, one of the runners, Gabriela Andersen-Scheiss of Switzerland, entered the stadium in a state of virtual collapse from heat exhaustion.</p><p>The 40-year-old ski instructor was not used to the hot Californian climate. She had to hobble her way around the final lap of the race.  </p><p>The crowd of ninety thousand people in the LA Memorial Colosseum cheered her on as she made it to the finish line.  </p><p>Andersen-Scheiss tells Ashley Byrne about her ordeal. The programme is a Made-In-Manchester Production that first aired in 2016.</p><p>(Photo: Andersen-Scheiss finishing the race in 1984. Credit: John W. McDonough/ Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)</p>

Sporting Witness

BBC World Service

Women's Marathon Agony

MAR 2, 20248 MIN
Sporting Witness

Women's Marathon Agony

MAR 2, 20248 MIN

Description

<p>In 1984, the women's marathon was held in the Olympic Games for the first time.</p><p>But to the horror of the crowd in Los Angeles, one of the runners, Gabriela Andersen-Scheiss of Switzerland, entered the stadium in a state of virtual collapse from heat exhaustion.</p><p>The 40-year-old ski instructor was not used to the hot Californian climate. She had to hobble her way around the final lap of the race. </p><p>The crowd of ninety thousand people in the LA Memorial Colosseum cheered her on as she made it to the finish line. </p><p>Andersen-Scheiss tells Ashley Byrne about her ordeal. The programme is a Made-In-Manchester Production that first aired in 2016.</p><p>(Photo: Andersen-Scheiss finishing the race in 1984. Credit: John W. McDonough/ Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)</p>